Nostalgic totems of domestic bliss, aprons offer up the perfect recipe for a stylish, budget-friendly collection.

Multiple Aprons

Multiple Aprons

In the mid-20th century, most women relied on two kinds of aprons: a practical one for cooking and cleaning, and fancier versions for hostess duty. According to EllynAnne Geisel, author of The Apron Book, the hand-sewn examples shown here are worth between $15 and $20.